City of the East

Ciudad del Este (City of the East) is the second largest city in Paraguay which I reached by driving over Puente de la Amistad which means Friendship Bridge and from my experience it was anything but friendly…. Its used for smuggling electronic devices such as handheld computers, digital cameras, drink, cigarettes and weapons from Paraguay into Brazil and whilst I was parked up bumper to bumper on the bridge awaiting my travel documents checked (and bribe to be accepted)a saw a group of men being beat up with a stocks of AK47 guns (as seen in the movies) by cops which looked like extras from the Expendables movie…scary stuff, I guess their bribes never got accepted!!!

Stradling two countries

Run Mario, RUN

Once clear of the “Friendship Bridge” you enter Ciudad del Este!! "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here!" sign posts should read quoting Canto III of Dante's "Divine Comedy, Inferno!! As scribed on the gates of hell!!  I felt very unsafe. The street sellers had interesting stuff to sell, and were positioned all up and down the sidewalk with booths that completely covered the sidewalk - so that you could not avoid walking through their booths if you wanted to get anywhere. The marketing was very aggressive, and everywhere it seemed it was necessary to watch every move in the event someone would have their hand in your pocket in a moment. The atmosphere was like sitting on a powder keg, police and also what looked like paramilitary where walking around with shotguns and machineguns!! Most if not all of the stuff sold in the streets is counterfeit; perfumes, whiskies, watches, jeans, DVDs.   I do have to say that if you walk off the main streets (at your own risk) you can find some little shops selling handcrafted stuff, I did buy a few figures and plates. Paraguay is not really a place I intend to visit again, but then again I only saw the worst Ciudad del Este and should not judge a country on one city alone!!

Busy place